“Almost Perfect”
August 8, 2013
Revelation 2:18-29
“To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:
These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.
Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.
Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’
To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’- just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give that one the morning star. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
What a wonderful week at Family Camp we had. Twelve of us from our Church were able to go. It was amazing how God worked everything out. There were 12 bunks and 12 of us. The cabin had a divider in it - 4 on one side – 8 on the other. We had 4 guys and 8 girls. The preaching was phenomenal. The activities were awesome; Zip line, Rock climbing wall, swimming in the Yuba River; Water color painting and wood carving. The spiritual activities included morning Bible Study at 7:30am; Chapel at 10:00am, then an evening service at 7:00pm. We also got the chance to visit with old friends. Monica got reacquainted with friends from her childhood. What stories they had to tell! What spiritual battles were being fought! It was just an absolutely awesome week.
The staff sounded like they were right out of the Bible; Jeremiah, Elijah, and Steven were our leaders. God’s hand was on them as they led us in worship and to a deeper spiritual walk.
Our Chaplain or Evangelist was Jeremiah Bolich – and what an awesome job he did. He shared from his book, “Jezebel – a portrait of Sin”. Every message was awesome. He has such a simple and unique way of sharing God’s Word. Even the kids could understand and enjoy the messages. What a blessing to see all of us down at the alter seeking a closer walk with God.
Jeremiah used the churches in Revelation as the background for his messages. He did an awesome job of researching the Greek and then delivered the message in such a fun and understandable way. I am not going to copy what he did – I couldn’t do it. But as I read about the churches and took in what Jeremiah had to say- it brought some thoughts to my mind. I want to share with you my take on the Church that was almost perfect – Thyatira.
This is Jesus talking and his description of Himself is,
“...eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.”
Jesus didn’t really look like this. It was symbolism. The bronze feet represented the firm foundation of Christ – strong, solid, and unmovable. The eyes represented holiness. Jesus looked through eyes of purity. I want to see as Jesus saw – don’t you? I want to look at people and the world through Jesus’ eyes. I don’t want to see through selfish, sinful eyes. I want to see through eyes of love and compassion – as Jesus did.
The part that caught my attention in this section of Scripture was that nineteenth verse.
“I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.”
WOW! That’s some pretty nice things Jesus is saying about this church! He knows our deeds. Deeds are important. Jesus’ brother, James, says;
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” James 2:14-19
Deeds are important. What we do is important. Our actions are important. Don’t think you can be saved without them. THEY don’t save you – but they are an expression of faith. So deeds are important. John, the disciple who was said to be the disciple Jesus loved, said,
“We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.” 1 John 2:3-4
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18
Deeds are important. They are important to Jesus. He knows your deeds – or lack thereof. Jesus was aware of the Church in Thyatira’s deeds. Jesus is aware of our deeds. The Soup Kitchen; the Day in the Son; the Evening under the Heavens in Dunsmuir; the work we do in Celebrate Recovery and ministering at the Coffee Connection is important. Every Bible Study and every ministry we do is important. Those deeds are important. Jesus is aware of them.
Jesus said to the church – I am aware of your love and faith. How do we express our love? Potlucks and fellowship is good. Helping the homeless is good. How do we express our faith? Some express it by tithing and giving offerings when the checkbook says they can’t afford it. By faith, trusting God and believing He will provide for them – they do it anyway. Some express love by opening their homes to others and ministering to them. Some express faith by faithfully serving even when there seems to be no response. Sometimes being faithful means doing something without seeing any fruit for a long time. Abraham was given a promise and even though he did not see it come to pass for a couple of decades – he believed God anyway. Jesus is aware of our faithfulness. Don’t stop.
Jesus was aware of the churches service. Jesus sees what you and I do. He is aware of our service – even if no one else is. The bathroom you clean, the Sunday school room you pick up – all those little acts of service Jesus is aware of. He said you can’t even give a glass of water to someone without receiving a reward.
Jesus was aware of the churches perseverance. I don’t know what they were going through. In some places just declaring your faith in Christ could get you killed. In our church we are here because through thick or thin some of you persevere with us. Whether we are up or down – you persevere. There are churches that are much bigger and have the money for great ministries – and a lot of people who claim they are “Nazarenes” go to them. They check out this small, struggling church and that big “What’s Happing Now” church and suddenly doctrine doesn’t matter. They come to be ministered unto – not to minister. But not you. You persevere. Jesus, with eyes that blaze like fire, sees. He sees your struggle. He sees your faithfulness. Don’t give up. Don’t get tired of doing good.
Jesus sees the Church in Thyatira’s growth. They are doing more than they did at the beginning. They are maturing. They are growing. Ministry is happening. And Jesus sees.
Jesus sees their deeds. Jesus sees their love. Jesus sees their faith. Jesus sees their service. Jesus sees their perseverance. Jesus sees their growth. But you know what? It isn’t enough. They are almost perfect – but not quite. Jesus has this against them. They tolerate sin in their midst. In their effort to minster and grow they have become too tolerant. They allow sin in their midst.
Jezebel is the epitome of rebellion against God. Apparently there was a prophetess or someone who claimed to be a preacher who, not only allowed sin, but encouraged it. Do you ever hear that today?
“It doesn’t matter what we do – Jesus died for us.”
“We all sin every day – all the time!” “Nobody’s perfect!”
It matters to Jesus. Jesus sees. Jesus proclaimed,
“I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.”
When Jesus is talking about adultery – he isn’t necessarily talking about sexual sin. He is talking about loving something – ANYTHING- more that Him. When you have time for something but no time for God – that’s spiritual adultery. When you put your priorities above God – that spiritual adultery. When you have money for your playthings but not enough to tithe – that’s spiritual adultery.
If you do that – you will suffer for it and so will your children. See – God wants all of us. He wants our hearts and our minds and our bodies. He wants a loving relationship with us. Some people ‘date’ Jesus; some people ‘go steady’ with Jesus; some people are ‘engaged’ to Jesus – but to be ‘completely’ His? They aren’t willing.
But you are. Some of you have yielded body and soul to Jesus. Some of you have the mind of Jesus. Some of Jesus’ blazing eyes and see the world through His eyes. And to you Jesus says,
“‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’
To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter...”
Revelation 2:24-27
Jesus says, “Be Faithful”. That is our challenge. That is our goal. That is our aim. Jesus created you to rule and reign with Him. This world, with its trials and tribulations and temptations is basic training for eternity. We were created to have authority over the nations.
In the military – those who are to receive the most authority have to go through the greatest trials. They are humiliated and they suffer physically and mentally. But those that come through – receive authority. I was a non-commissioned officer– a sergeant, and had to go through leadership training school. My cousin had to endure officer candidate school but ended up a Lt. Colonel. You are going through the ‘school of hard knocks’ right now. Realize it. Endure it. Learn from it.
Our goal is to see and do everything as Jesus would. He is our perfect example. Whatever situation you find yourself in this week – respond to it as Jesus would. Speak as Jesus would; do as Jesus would do; think as Jesus would. Christ is in you if you have surrendered your will to Him. You are filled with the Holy Spirit. He is given to us so we don’t have to face the world alone. You have tremendous power available to you. Use it to be victorious over every situation. You are to be overcomers. You are to be victorious. You are to be more than conquerors. Go in the power of the Holy Spirit – and turn your world upside down.
SONG
